Introducing the Guinand Starfighter Pilot Chronograph

Guinand’s been on a roll with their recent releases, and the brand’s latest chronograph is no exception. The newest entry into Guinand’s catalog is the Starfighter Pilot Chronograph, a two-register chrono reminiscent of 60s-era mil-spec watches, particularly the legendary and highly collectible Heuer Bund. 

This isn’t an homage in the sense that it’s a one-for-one duplicate, but rather it pulls from the Bund and others and reimagines the aesthetic. Regardless, it should be noted that the late Helmut Sinn, who owned and operated Guinand after he left Sinn, worked on and repaired Heuer Bunds on contract back in the day, even replacing Heuer-branded dials with Sinn-signed ones (and from what I’ve read, much to the displeasure of Heuer). If provenance matters to you, then know that there is a real connection to the Bunds of yesteryear here.

The Starfighter Pilot Chronograph is housed inside a 42.6-millimeter case (15.6 millimeters thick and 49.7 millimeters lug-to-lug) that’s been blasted to a matte finish (also offered in a satinized finish), really amping up the tool-watch vibe here. The case is reminiscent of certain Autavia references and even some other military watch references (the Lemania “Viggen” chronograph comes to mind) that shared this basic case design — which in turn is related to the cases currently found across some of Sinn’s lines — but the geometry has been ever-so-slightly modified here. Most notable is the extra bevel along the outer tip of the lugs, which keeps them from looking overly blocky. 

Sandwiching the case are two domed sapphire crystals, and there’s a bi-directional pilot’s bezel framing the dial. The flanked crown at three screws down, seals with double O-rings, and is signed with the Guinand “G.” The case is rated to 20 bar. 

The dial is black with white markings and lume, the latter being Grade X1. The two sub-dials are recessed into the dial, giving it some welcome dimensionality. The Starfighter’s engine is the venerable Valjoux 7753 (decorated and regulated to 5 positions by Guinand), which gives us a 30-minute counter at 3 and a running seconds counter at 9 o’clock.

The case measures 22 millimeters at the lugs, and Guinand offers a plethora of strap options through their shop. Personally, I think this one would look absolutely killer on a leather bund. 

Altogether, this is a neat package from Guinand — one that, I think, expertly walks the line between straight-up homage and referential design. It comes in at 1,879 Euro with VAT, so for those of us outside of the EU that’s about 1,579 Euro, or roughly $1,787 USD. That’s a solid price for a German-made chronograph from a well-respected firm with great history, and having handled Guinands in the metal, it won’t disappoint. Guinand